Header

SUPPORT THE CIVILIAN CAPACITY’S UN CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT TEAM

In May 2008, the Security Council invited the Secretary-General (SG) to provide advice on how the United Nations could better support national efforts to secure sustainable peace more rapidly and effectively, including in the areas of coordination, civilian deployment and financing. The SG’s report that followed in 2009 reflected on past peacebuilding experiences; highlighted the challenges that post-conflict countries face in the immediate aftermath of conflict; emphasized the importance of national ownership; and proposed a review that would analyse how the United Nations and the international community can help to broaden and deepen the pool of civilian experts to support the immediate capacity development needs of countries emerging from conflict. In March 2010 the SG appointed a Senior Advisory Group (SAG), to undertake such a review. The SAG produced a report that was submitted to the General Assembly and the Security Council in February 2011.
Subsequently, the SG also appointed a Steering Committee (SC), its members representing entities from across the UN system, to consider how the Group’s recommendations should be taken forward. The SC continues to oversee progress with the civilian capacity agenda and ensure coherence with other relevant reform initiatives. The Committee, is supported by its subsidiary Working Group and the civilian capacity support team, will continue to consult with Member States and regional organizations, as well as with the rest of the UN system, in taking forward the areas of work identified by the SG as early priorities. (More information on context refer to http://www.civcapreview.org/)

Duties and Responsibilities

The main purpose of this assignment is to support CivCap’s UN Capacity Development Team in four areas: i) defining user needs and taking stock with regard to principles, guidelines and tools; ii) drafting materials; iii) facilitating stakeholder engagement process, including organization of outreach, workshops, etc.; and iv) managing the overall Team workplan.
The deliverables of the Terms of Reference are a stocktaking report; initial and revised drafts of materials, as determined by the Team; periodic stakeholder engagement updates; and periodic progress/status reports to the Team.
The Consultant’s main activities will be:
Define needs and take stock: refine framework (substance and format) needed for i) definition of needs, ii) stocktaking exercise, and iii) development of principles, guidelines and tools and/or other materials determined to be appropriate by the Team; determine user needs with regard to principles, guidelines and tools and/or other appropriate materials (define what is missing, what needs to be updated or adapted, what needs to be created anew) – through interviews and a survey/questionnaire; inventory existing (and planned) policy and knowledge products, methodologies and tools, case studies, processes, etc. – through a series of meetings/in-person knowledge exchange and secondary research; evaluate relevance/usefulness of existing materials against identified needs; facilitate consultative meeting(s) to discuss/review stocktaking results
Draft principles and guidelines: Develop a plan for formulation of principles and guidelines and/or other appropriate materials (what do they consist of, what do they look like, how detailed are they, how do they complement similar existing principles and guidelines); draft principles and guidelines and/or other appropriate materials; facilitate consultative meeting(s) to discuss/review draft materials
Facilitate stakeholder engagement and consultation: refine approach (high-level approach already drafted) for engaging and consulting stakeholders; manage engagement as described in two activities above (interviews, surveys, questionnaires, meetings); ensure coordination with other related activities to maximize synergies and avoid duplication of effort
Manage overall Team workplan: Manage team workplan, including monitoring of activities, monitoring of progress and results.
Management Arrangements of Assignment
The Consultant will work at the direction of the CivCap’s UN Capacity Development Team leader (Director of UNDP BDP Capacity Development Group). The Consultant will be based in the CDG’s offices in New York. No travel is expected. The assignment is expected to run from mid January through mid April 2012.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:
  • Demonstrates integrity and fairness, by modeling the UN/UNDP’s values and ethical standards;
  • Promotes the vision, mission and strategic goals of UNDP;
  • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Technical Competencies
  • Strong inter-personal and intercultural communication and presentation skills.
  • Strong, research, writing and analytical skills.
  • Results-oriented and able to perform under pressure in a dynamic environment.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

  • An advanced degree in Political Science, Public Policy, Public Administration, Social Sciences or a related field.

Experience:

  • Experience in policy research and analysis, production of knowledge products, particularly in crisis contexts.
  • Experience in managing inter-agency work, including the production of joint documents.
  • Experience in organizing inter-agency consultations, meetings and workshops.
  • Minimum five years of relevant work experience (having produced similar documents, managed similar processes, etc.).

Language:

  • Written and verbal fluency in English.
  • Experience in working for an international organizations and/or knowledge of the UN system is an asset.

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.